Oh isn't this a lovely surprise for Christmas. I played Mirror's edge for about 1 hr the other day and it seemed glitchy. Black spots all over the place and the people in cut scenes were semi transparent and look almost like holograms. Then later I went to play some more and I got an E74 error. Well turns out that is a fatal error. Also my warranty expired back in September so it will cost me $94 to get it fixed. But IIRC they take it and send me a new console right? Anyway, I'll have a working one and an extra month of XBL in about a month. Figures. I wait a month to get to play these four games I got for Christmas and now have to wait another month. CRAP!!!!
Your warranty for RRoD should still be good. The RRoD Warranty is 3 years and is effect even when the website lists you as out of warranty. The 360 wasn't 3 years old in September.
This is just me, but before I spent $100 to fix my old one, I'd have spent $200 on a brand new arcade, then stick your hdd on it. Just me. (and that assumes I had the $100 to begin with, much less the $200.) I feel your pain. I have to say that after mine died (and got fixed), I'm not nearly playing it as much. Hopefully, it'll only be a week or two. Mine was 12 days door to door. As for getting a different console, I know mine had the same serial number, but it may have just been the case. Don't know.
could just put it back in the box and return it to walmart for store credit, tell them it doesn't work (they'll believe anything on the first week after christmas, just to get you to go away as soon as possible, then go to electronics and get another one with the money on the walmart card. Let walmart send it back, they don't need to wait a month, they won't play the game. IF heaven forbid someone else buys it, then it's their fault for reshelving a unit they were told was defective.
I've had mine for over a year (15 months). it isn't a RRoD.. it is an e74 error. the one year warranty just expired.
The only way I'll buy a 360 is if it's used and really cheap. There are repair guides online that show you how to correct most, if not all of the problems yourself, and the aftermarket pieces needed to make most repairs still save you a hell of a lot more than you'd spend retail. Plus that way if it dies with a RROD, I can say I was only out this much money, and shrug it off.
Sucks to hear, man. I hope you can go a month without it. Be prepared to deal with Microsoft's crappy customer support. They can't help for shit.
If they get it and its not Red Ringed then they'll either charge you or just ship it back without fixing it. You could always just ring it yourself, block the vents and leave it on.
